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Contactless measurements of retinal activity using optically pumped magnetometers
Britta U Westner1, James I Lubell2, Mads Jensen3
1Center of Functionally Integrative Neuroscience, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Radboud University, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Neuroimage
|August 31, 2021
Summary
Optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) offer a novel, contactless method for measuring retinal activity. This technology shows potential as an alternative to traditional electrodes in clinical and neuroscientific research.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Neuroscience
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) are increasingly used for brain activity measurement.
- Unlike traditional sensors, OPMs do not require cryogenic cooling, allowing for flexible placement.
- This flexibility enables the recording of neuronal activity beyond the neocortex.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the utility of OPM sensors for measuring human retinal activity.
- To compare OPM-derived magnetoretinography (MRG) with simultaneously recorded electroretinograms (ERGs).
Main Methods:
- Eight OPM sensors were employed to record retinal activity in human participants.
- Participants were subjected to flash stimulation.
- MRG signals were recorded and compared with concurrent ERG measurements.
Main Results:
- MRG signals successfully captured familiar flash-evoked potentials, including the a-wave and b-wave.
- A significant information overlap was observed between MRG and ERG.
- This correlation held true for both simultaneous and separate measurement sessions.
Conclusions:
- OPM sensors demonstrate potential as a contactless alternative to fiber electrodes for retinal activity measurement.
- This non-invasive approach could significantly benefit both clinical diagnostics and neuroscientific research.
- Contactless retinal activity measurement using OPMs opens new avenues for research and patient care.
